ES2968732T3 - Open top gutter - Google Patents

Abstract

An open gutter for growing plants. By way of example, the open gutter comprises at least one water space (2) formed by a double edge (1) and being closed at its top, or almost closed. Said water space (2) is open at the bottom of the gutter. In one example, the open upper gutter comprises at least one separate water space (2) formed by a partially double bottom and connected to the bottom of the gutter through a lower space (3). In one example, the open upper gutter comprises a space bounded by two side walls (12) and a bottom wall (10) and divided into trough-like compartments by at least one dividing wall (18). The dividing wall (18) comprises at least one water space (2) formed by a double wall, open at the bottom of the gutter. (Automatic translation with Google Translate, without legal value)

Description

description

Open top gutter

field of invention

The present invention relates to an open-top water-conducting trough for plant cultivation. The presented solution also refers to an open-top trough for plant cultivation, in which water is guided along the trough and further away from the water space of the trough into a substrate.

Background of the invention

The properties of gutters intended for plant cultivation, especially in hydroponic applications (NFT, nutrient film technique), will be described here.

Lettuce and herbs have been grown using hydroponic techniques for over 30 years. The most efficient method is trough growing, known as the moving trough technique, in which plants are grown in small pots placed in plant holes in solid troughs. The gutters move on a track, and the distance between the gutters automatically increases according to the growth stage. A nutrient solution added to the irrigation water is metered into one end of the trough, from where the solution flows along the inclined trough, irrigating the plants in the pots along the way, and out the other end, to be recirculated after possible treatments. Such recirculation of the nutrient solution can be activated all the time or in cycles of, for example, 10 minutes of watering every 2 hours. The cycle will depend, for example, on the dimensions of other elements in the system, the season, the length of the gutter, the inclination and the substrate. Typically, the gutter has a width of 75 mm and a length of 6 to 12 m. In particular, this applies to growing lettuce. In cucumber and tomato cultivation, the gutter can be up to 100 m long and 20 to 30 cm wide.

The cultivation described above in gutters has resulted in at least two fundamental improvements. Firstly, the growth density (plants per square meter) can be adjusted according to growth, to ensure maximum utilization of growing space and especially lighting. Second, because a nutrient solution can be dosed into the trough continuously, often in an amount greater than necessary, the nutrient composition can deviate from the optimum even to a large extent without affecting growth, since The circulating solution continually supplies new nutrients to the root system area. If several different plants are grown in the same circulating solution, or if the nutrient solution is not completely optimal, growing with a circulating solution is the most functional technique without having to remedy distortions in nutrient contents by rinsing. This type of situation is often faced in, for example, organic fertilization, where nutrients are available but not in a correct proportion to the need.

For trough cultivation, seedlings are grown separately by sowing seeds in small pots that are arranged in honeycomb panels. The most common form of irrigation is by overhead sprinkler irrigation. The seedlings are moved to the plant holes in the growing troughs. The holes in the gutters are made according to the needs of the plant and naturally cannot be changed later.

To grow many different plants and especially small plants (baby leaves, microgreens), the best solution is to use a so-called open-top gutter. The open-top trough is completely open at the top, and the trough is filled with a substrate, such as peat and mineral wool, without using separate pots. Seeds are sown at a desired density, as needed. For cultivation, the troughs are placed in a trough production line system, moved and irrigated at one end of the trough, as described above. Advantages of the open-top trough include the fact that separate pots are not needed, the planting density can be varied as needed, a separate arrangement is not needed for growing seedlings and the trough is easier to clean.

Problems with open gutters include poor passage of irrigation water through the substrate that fills the gutter; The trough may overflow, some of the substrate may be carried away with the circulating solution, and growth is uneven at the initial and terminal ends of the trough. All of these cause problems related to technique and cultivation. To solve the problems of the state of the art, several methods have been developed for conveying water through an open-top trough. As an example, an open trough on the top with a perforated insert tray is provided, the substrate and plants are placed on the top, and the nutrient solution flows under the tray and is sought by the plant roots.

Another solution is to provide the gutter not with an insertable tray, but with a narrower section, placing the substrate and plants on top, and leaving a passage for water flow at the bottom.

Among other things, the following problems have been observed in these examples:

uneven growth caused by variation in substrate quality in practice;

complex gutter filling and substrate handling technique;

sensitivity of performance to gutter inclination;

change in structure during cultivation;

problems in contact between water and substrate;

filtration of the substrate into the water groove, causing clogging.

Problems with open gutters can also include special cases of fertilization, for example aquaponics, i.e. fish farming combined with plant cultivation. It is possible to combine the circulation of nutrients produced by fish farming and necessary for plants, as long as the amount of irrigation water circulated is many times the irrigation need. Part of the minerals contained in the fish feed consumed by fish is excreted in the form of water-soluble nutrients into the water used for fish farming. These nutrients are very useful for plants. One problem is the dilution of water used for fish farming (approximate concentration of 0.6 mS/cm, expressed in terms of electrical conductivity) compared to the optimal nutrient concentration of a plant irrigation solution (around 2 mS/cm). This is one of the reasons why a multiple amount of irrigation solution must be supplied, compared to the need for water, which leads to water conduction problems in open gutter cultivation; An adequate amount of water cannot pass through the substrate, but causes overflow<o>lack of nutrients.

US 4075785 A presents an approach for growing plants in gutters. Water does not always flow through the substrate in the trough as desired, but the moisture content of the substrate remains uneven, which will cause a reduction in crop yields either due to excessive watering. or>due to dryness. WO 2012/172187 Al describes a growing system comprising a special open-top trough that is suitable and intended for a solid substrate, such as a sheet of mineral wool. Another trough open at the top intended for the cultivation of plants and having a water space formed by the lower part of the trough is presented in document US 4255898 A.

A trough open at the top intended for the cultivation of plants and having a water space formed by the edge of the trough is presented in document US 2005/0246956 A l. The preamble of independent claim 1 is described in US 2005/0246956 Al.

A trough open at the top intended for the cultivation of plants and having a water space formed by the lower part of the trough is presented in W<o>2016/151186 A l. The preamble of independent claim 2 is described in WO 2016/151186 Al.

In the solution according to WO 2016/151186 A l, the cultivation trough is divided into two parts by a dividing wall structure, and the water is intended to flow mainly in tunnels that extend below the substrate and in a space central formed by the dividing wall structure. The preamble of independent claim 3 is described in WO 2016/151186 Al.

Summary of the invention

An open top water-conducting channel according to the invention is presented in independent claim 1.

Furthermore, a water-conducting channel open at the top according to the invention is presented in independent claim 2.

Furthermore, a water-conducting channel open at the top according to the invention is presented in independent claim 3.

The use of the open-top gutter in plant cultivation is presented in the attached independent claim 14.

A method in growing plants, through the use of the open trough at the top, is presented in the attached independent claim 15.

An open trough at the top is used for growing plants.

In the open edge gutters of the previous state, the substrate constitutes an obstacle to sufficient water flow. Normally, in hydroponic cultivation, the amount of water supplied is many times greater than the need, to ensure both irrigation uniformity and a sufficient supply of nutrients. For example, in aquaponic systems, that is, combinations of fish farming and plant growing, diluted fish farming water must be supplied in quantities many times greater than the water demand of the plants, to satisfy the need for nutrients.

An open top water-conducting channel according to the present solution eliminates the problems described above.

For example, in aquaponic systems, an open-top trough carrying water, independent of the substrate, can be used to supply diluted water from fish farming in quantities many times greater than the water demand of plants, to satisfy the need for nutrients.

A nutrient solution can easily be supplied in doses many times greater than the water demand, and the water will be rapidly absorbed into the substrate along the entire length of the trough.

In one example, the nutrient solution used for irrigation of plants is derived at least in part from nutrient salts from fertilizers, fish breeding waters, bioreactors, main or side streams from other processes, or combinations of these.

In one example, the substrate used to grow plants in the trough is horticultural peat, mineral wool, glass wool, peat moss (sphagnum), wood fiber, coconut fiber, hemp fiber or a mixture containing at least one of said constituents of the substrate.

In one example, the trough is made of a metallic or composite material by bending. In another example, the gutter is manufactured by extrusion of plastic, aluminum or other mixtures.

The trough is an open-edged plant growing trough, comprising at least one water space formed by a double edge and which is closed<or>almost closed at the top. Said water space is open at the bottom of the gutter open at the top.

In one example, the water space has an opening spacing of 0.1 to 2 mm at the bottom from the open trough at the top. In one example, the open-top water-conducting channel typically comprises a water flow space, formed by an edge structure and connected to a substrate space through a narrow gap. Water is transported towards the separation by both capillarity and gravity, and through the gap is directed towards the substrate by both capillarity and gravity. At the water supply end, water can flow in the opposite direction.

Thanks to the double edge, the channel is resistant and yet simple to manufacture.

The same double edge structure can be reproduced in gutters of different sizes. The width of the gutter can be selected according to the desired plant size.

With an open trough at the top and narrower water conduction at the top, the initial cultivation can be easily carried out with a density increased by 50%, and because the initial cultivation represents almost half of the entire cycle of growth, cultivation efficiency can increase by more than 25%. For example, in Central Europe, a gutter with a special width of 100 to 140 mm is commonly used, because intense sunlight makes the edge of a gutter narrower and the roots become too hot. The double edge of the open trough at the top of the water conduction portion prevents heat from being conducted into the substrate, thus reducing this problem and allowing for narrower trough sizing and higher growth density.

Alternatively, an open-top trough is used for plant cultivation, which has at least one separate water space formed by a partially double bottom and connected to the bottom of the trough via a bottom separation.

In one example, an open-top water-conducting trough typically comprises a water space formed by an edge structure and connected to the bottom of the trough through a gap. In plant growing applications, water flows in the direction of the trough mainly along the water space and is transported to the substrate by both capillarity and gravity almost simultaneously along the entire length of the trough. At the water supply end, water can flow in the opposite direction.

Thanks to the partially double bottom, the trough is mechanically strong and still easy to manufacture. A similar structure with a partially double bottom can be reproduced in gutters of different sizes. The width of the gutter can be selected according to the desired plant size.

A similar structure with a partially double bottom can be reproduced in gutters of different sizes. In the same way as mentioned above, cultivation efficiency can be increased by more than 25%.

The trough is an open-top trough for growing plants, comprising a space limited by two side walls and a bottom wall, and divided into trough-like sections by at least one dividing wall. The dividing wall comprises at least one water space formed by a double wall, open at the bottom of the channel. In one example, the water space is closed or almost closed at the top.

List of figures

Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a channel according to the invention.

Figure 2 shows other modalities of the channel according to the invention.

Figure 3 shows an example of a gutter.

Figure 4 shows another example of a gutter.

Figure 5 shows other examples of a gutter.

Figure 6 shows an additional example of a gutter.

Figure 7 shows the structure of one embodiment of the channel according to the invention.

Figure 8 shows the structure of one embodiment of another channel according to the invention.

Figure 9 shows an embodiment of another channel according to the invention.

Detailed description of the invention

Next, some open-top water-conducting gutters will be discussed with reference to Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 1 shows a typical shape of an open-top water-conducting channel, which has a length selected according to need, advantageously from 1 to 20 m.

Figure 2 shows advantageous cross-sections and dimensions of an open-top water-conducting trough, i.e. alternatives a to e.

A water conduction section is formed by a double edge 1, the inner edge of which is slightly open towards the bottom, leaving a gap at the bottom 3 for transporting water between the water space 2 and the substrate.

Double edge 1 may be present on both sides<or>only on one side. In long gutters, for example longer than 6 m, as well as in wide gutters, for example wider than 60 mm, it is advantageous to provide both sides with a double edge 1, to ensure irrigation and also to support the structure.

The trough may also comprise a bottom rib 4 and other structural details, reinforcements, etc., for example, to facilitate movement of the trough and to support its structure. In one example, the channel comprises lower ribs 4 or other additional elements related to the movement, strength or functionality of the channel.

Alternative e in Figure 2 shows an advantageous design and sizing that allows seeds to be sown in two rows in the same trough, and the sizing is also directly suitable for most existing thinning systems. The curved shape of the bottom further facilitates the conduction of water from the water space to the substrate.

In some examples, the gutter is provided with a double edge either on both sides<or>on a single side. After the trough has been filled with substrate, water will flow into the water space 2 enclosed by the double edge 1, rapidly irrigating the substrate along the entire length of the trough through the bottom gap 3, without drag substrate into the flow.

Lettuce and iceberg lettuce grow well in an open-top, water-conducting trough, providing a good yield when crop density has been adjusted as needed.

When starting cultivation, an open trough at the top of the water conduit (see Figure 1) is filled with, for example, horticultural peat and gently compacted, and the seeds are sown at a desired density. For this initial filling and seeding step, automatic filling and seeding machines are commonly available, which - after minor modifications - are suitable for use with an open top water-conducting trough. Examples of filling and seeding device brands include: V-Mosa, Hortimat, Mayer, Urbinati, Visser, Javo, DaRos and Punnet.

After sowing, the trough is moved to the growing site and watered using normal trough irrigation nozzles (e.g. Netafim Maxi CNL, 12 l/h) at one end of the trough. Preferably, this supply end is provided with a plug to close the end of the chute. From the supply end, the water is partially absorbed into the substrate and flows, mainly in the water space 2 enclosed by the double edge 1, down the trough, simultaneously irrigating the substrate along its entire length. After initial irrigation for a period of, say, 10 minutes, the gutter is watered again as needed. The water will be diverted to the other end of the gutter, where a drain pipe is advantageously provided, for example by bending down the bottom. At the beginning of cultivation, the gutters can be placed side by side, and the distance between the gutters is increased according to growth. The open-top water-conducting trough can be more efficient than a conventional closed trough, especially in small plant production.

Compared with the gutters of the previous state, the difference is, for example, that the double edge 1 constitutes a tunnel-shaped water passage that extends parallel with the substrate, from the bottom to the top, for the free flow of water. From this space, the water has a direct connection to the substrate through the bottom gap 3. If the substrate has poor water absorption capacity, the water level will rise inside the double border 1, causing the water to is forced by gravity to penetrate the substrate and reach even closer to the roots.

In the direction of the trough, the water flows mainly in the tunnel-shaped aquatic space 2, delimited by the edge but without significantly affecting the substrate, thus preventing the substrate from being carried away by the circulating water. The water space 2 is connected to the substrate through a narrow gap. Both the width of the water space 2 and the width of the bottom gap 3 are essential factors for the functionality of the gutter. The width of the water space 2 is advantageously 5 to 10 mm, and the dimension of the gap is advantageously 1 to 2 mm, so that no substrate will enter the water space 2, the root system will remain in the substrate and only water will pass through the gap.

The same structure of the double edge 1 can be reproduced in gutters of different sizes. The width of the gutter can be selected according to the desired plant size. For smaller plants, known as microgreens, a trough as narrow as 30mm will suffice, providing maximum seedling density in the initial grow. Growth density is a significant factor in crop profitability, especially if the crop is grown partially or entirely under artificial light. In the Nordic countries, the most commonly used gutter model has a width of approximately 75 mm, and for example, in Central Europe, a gutter with a special width of 100 to 140 mm is commonly used.

The productivity of an open-top trough with a standard width of 75 mm can be improved by sowing several adjacent rows in the trough, if the trough has a double edge structure that guides water through the trough and allows absorption of water into the substrate along the entire length of the trough almost simultaneously. Without the double edge, the passage of water simply through the substrate along the entire length of the gutter is too slow.

We will now discuss some alternative open-top water-conducting gutters with reference to Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6.

Figures 3 and 4 show simple designs of an open-top water-conducting channel, which has a length selected according to need, advantageously from 1 to 20 m.

Figure 5 shows advantageous cross sections of an open-top water-conducting trough, i.e. alternatives a to h.

The water conduction section, that is, the water space 2, is formed by a double structure which may be a double edge 1 or a partially double bottom part.

The double structure can be provided on either one side or both sides, as shown, for example, in alternatives f to h in Figure 5. The double structure is provided with a connection, namely a lower gap 3 , to conduct water between water space 2 and the other parts of the gutter.

In long gutters, for example longer than 6 m, as well as in wide gutters, for example wider than 60 mm, it is advantageous to provide both sides with a double edge 1, to ensure irrigation and also to support the structure. The trough may also comprise a bottom rib 4 and other structural details, reinforcements, etc., for example, to facilitate movement of the trough and to support its structure. In one example, the channel comprises lower ribs 4 or other additional elements related to the movement, strength or functionality of the channel.

With a width of approximately 75 mm, the cross-sectional shapes of Figure 5 are suitable as such for most existing thinning systems. In alternatives f to h in Figure 5, the curved shape of the bottom further facilitates the transport of water from water space 2 to the substrate.

Alternatives f through h in Figure 5 show examples of gutters that have a double edge 1 on both sides. After the trough has been filled with substrate, water will flow into the water space 2 enclosed by the double edge 1, rapidly irrigating the substrate along the entire length of the trough through the bottom gap 3, without drag substrate into the flow.

Using these troughs, cultivation is started, the trough is moved after planting, and irrigation, including initial irrigation, is carried out as described above with reference to Figure 1.

The difference with the gutters of the state of the art is, among other things, the characteristic that the double structure constitutes a tunnel-shaped water space 2 for the flow of water in parallel with the substrate. From this space, the water has a direct connection to the substrate through the lower gap 3. The water is absorbed by the substrate and brought even closer to the root system. The water flows in the direction of the trough mainly in the water space 2, but not significantly in the substrate, thus preventing substrate entrainment in the circulating water. Both the size of the water space 2 and the width of the lower gap 3 are of vital importance in the functionality of the gutter. Preferably, the water space 2 is so small that the water is in contact with the lower gap 3 and furthermore with the substrate along the entire length of the trough. For example, in gutters for growing lettuce, the width of the water space 2 is advantageously 5 to 10 mm. The width of the separation can be selected according to the need. For the sake of cleanliness, the spacing is advantageously 2 to 5 mm in the cultivation troughs. It is also possible that the gap is so small that roots will not grow through it, even less than 0.1 mm, so the root system will remain in the substrate and only water will pass through the gap. This may be necessary especially in long-term cultivation.

The same double structure can be reproduced in gutters of different sizes. The width of the gutter can be selected according to the desired plant size. For smaller plants, known as microgreens, a trough as narrow as 30mm will suffice, providing maximum seedling density in the initial grow. In tomato and cucumber cultivation, the width of the gutter is approximately 200 mm. Growth density is a significant factor in crop profitability, especially if the crop is grown partially or entirely under artificial light. In this case, the initial seedling density should be high, and the seedling density is reduced by spacing the gutters according to growth. In the Nordic countries, the most common type of trough used for growing lettuce is a perforated trough with a width of approximately 75 mm.

In the example of Figure 6, the channel open at the top is filled with substrate 5 or with a sheet of substrate where irrigation 6 of plants, such as cucumber and tomato, is carried out directly in the water space 2 in which The nutrient solution is transported along the necessary length. While irrigation in conventional cultivation is plant-specific, like drip irrigation, irrigation in an open-top water-conducting trough can only be supplied to one end of the trough, or, if necessary, directly to water space 2 at desired intervals. In such an application, the substrate must be highly water absorbent, such as a mixture of horticultural moss and peat.

Next, the structure of some alternative open-top water-conducting troughs will be discussed with reference to Figures 7, 8 and 9, which show a cross section of an open-top trough.

The description of Figure 7 below particularly refers to an open-top trough with a double structure and a double edge, as discussed earlier in this description, and its operation. As shown in Figures 7, 8 and 9, the open-top channel comprises a bottom wall 10 and two side walls 12 connected thereto and transverse to the bottom wall 10, enclosing a channel-shaped space for the substrate. in the open gutter at the top. The lower part of said space is the lower wall 10, on which the substrate is placed. Each side wall 12 is fixed at its lower end to the lower wall 10, for example, to its edge. The bottom wall 10 and the side walls 12 can be seamlessly joined together and form an integral structure. During use, the bottom wall 10 is, for example, substantially horizontal and the side walls 12 are substantially vertical<o>slightly inclined. At least one rib 4 may be attached to the bottom wall 10 and/or form an extension at the bottom end of the side wall 12.

As shown in Figure 7, the double edge 1 is formed in the open trough at the top by providing a dividing wall 14 as an extension of the side wall 12, which extends towards the bottom wall 10. One end of the dividing wall 14, for example, the outermost end, is separated from the other side wall 12. One end of the dividing wall 14, for example, the lower end, is separated from the lower wall 10 so that it is formed a lower gap 3 between the end of the dividing wall 14 and the lower wall 10, for example, seen in the vertical direction during <use>. A water space 2 is formed between the dividing wall 14 and the side wall 12, for example, when viewed in the horizontal direction during <use>. The bottom wall 10 acts as the bottom for the water space 2 and as the bottom in the bottom partition 3.

The side wall 12 and the dividing wall 14 can be seamlessly joined together and form an integral structure. During use of the open-top gutter, the dividing wall 14 is, for example, substantially vertical<o>slightly inclined.

For example, the bottom wall 10 extends straight and uniform from the water space 2 to the bottom partition 3 and beyond.

In one example, the vertical height of the water space 2 with respect to the bottom wall 10 is at least three-fifths or at least two-thirds of the height of the side wall 12.

The dividing wall 14 is fixed to the side wall 12, for example, at or near its top, and the dividing wall 14 may constitute a branch of the side wall 12. Alternatively, the dividing wall 14 may be connected to the top of the side wall 12 at a point whose distance from the bottom wall 10 is greater than its distance from the top of the side wall 12, or the vertical distance from the bottom wall 10 is at least three fifths<or>at least two thirds of the height of the side wall 12.

The dividing wall 14 may be provided, for example, at its end on the side of the side wall 12 and/or at its lower end, with a section extending in a direction deviating from the main part. of the dividing wall 14. For example, said section at the lower end of the dividing wall 14, at the lower gap 3, may be inclined with respect to the lower wall 10, or parallel to it.

In combination, said side wall 12 and dividing wall 14 constitute said double structure and double edge.

The description of Figure 8 below particularly refers to an open-top trough with a double structure and a partially double bottom, as discussed earlier in this description, and its operation.

As shown in Figure 8, a partially double bottom is formed in an open-top trough by providing an intermediate bottom 16 as an extension of the side wall 12 towards the other side wall l2. One end of the lower intermediate part 16, for example its outer end, is spaced from the other side wall 12 and partially covers the lower wall 10. The end of the lower intermediate part 16 is spaced from the lower wall 10 so that a lower gap 3 is formed between the end of the lower intermediate part 16 and the lower wall 10, for example, when viewed in the vertical direction during the use. A water space 2 is formed between the intermediate bottom part 16 and the bottom wall 10, seen for example in the vertical direction during use. The bottom wall 10 acts as the bottom for the water space 2 and as the bottom in the bottom partition 3.

The side wall 12 and the middle bottom part 16 can be seamlessly joined together and constitute an integral structure. During use of the open-top channel, the intermediate bottom 16 is, for example, substantially horizontal or slightly inclined.

For example, the bottom wall 10 extends straight and uniform from the water space 2 to the bottom partition 3 and beyond.

In one example, the vertical height of the water space 2 with respect to the bottom wall 10 is not greater than two fifths<or>is not greater than one third of the height of the side wall 12.

The lower intermediate part 16 can be connected to the lower wall 10 or to the side wall 12, so that the lower intermediate part 16 can constitute, for example, a branch towards the lower wall 10 or the side wall 12. Alternatively, the lower part intermediate bottom 16 may be connected to the side wall 12 at a point whose distance from the bottom wall 10 is less than its distance from the top of the side wall 12, or the vertical distance from the bottom wall 10 is not greater than two fifths<o>is not greater than one third of the height of the lateral wall 12.

The intermediate bottom part 16 may be provided, for example, at its end on the side of the side wall 12 or at its outermost end, with a section extending in a direction different from the main part of the intermediate bottom 16. For example, said section at the end of the side of the side wall 12 may be inclined with respect to the side wall 12, parallel to it. Said section may extend against the side wall 12. Said bottom wall 10 and intermediate bottom part 16 together constitute said double structure and partially double bottom part.

Anything related to the open-top gutter described above, equipped with a double structure, a double edge and/or a partially double bottom, and its operation, may be connected to the related open-top gutter with Figure 9 and discussed in the description below.

As shown in Figure 9, the above-described open-top trough with a bottom wall 10 and side walls 12 is also provided with at least one dividing wall 18 connected to the bottom wall 10 and transverse to the bottom wall 10, dividing the channel-shaped space of the open-top channel into adjacent channel-shaped compartments, for example, at least two adjacent compartments. The dividing wall 18 is fixed at its lower end to the lower wall 10, for example, at its central section. The lower wall 10 and the dividing wall 18 can be seamlessly connected to each other and constitute an integral structure. In use, the dividing wall 18 is, for example, substantially vertical.

A water space 2 is formed in the open trough at the top by providing a dividing wall 20 as an extension of the dividing wall 18, which extends towards the bottom wall 10. The end of the dividing wall 20, for example, <its>outer end, is separated from the side wall 12 and partially covers the lower wall 10. The end of the dividing wall 20, for example, <its>outer end, is separated from the lower wall 10 so that it is formed a lower gap 3 between the end of the dividing wall 20 and the lower wall 10, seen for example, in a vertical direction during use. The aquatic space 2 is formed between the dividing wall 20 and the dividing wall 18, seen for example in the horizontal direction during <use>. Furthermore,<o>alternatively, the water space 2 is formed between the dividing wall 20 and the bottom wall 10, seen for example in the vertical direction during <use>. The bottom wall 10 acts as the bottom for the water space 2 and as the bottom in the bottom partition 3.

The dividing wall 18 and the dividing wall 20 can be seamlessly connected to each other and constitute an integral structure. During use of the open-top trough, the dividing wall 20 is, for example, substantially vertical, substantially horizontal or slightly inclined.

For example, the bottom wall 10 extends straight and uniform from the water space 2 to the bottom partition 3 and beyond.

The dividing wall 20 is connected to the dividing wall 18, for example, at its top or at a location close to it, and/or in such a way that the dividing wall 20 constitutes a branch of the dividing wall 18. .

The partition wall 20 may be provided, for example, at its end on the side of the partition wall 18 or at the end on the side of the lower partition 3, for example, at the outer end, with a section extending in one direction. different from the main part of the dividing wall 20. For example, said section at the end of the dividing wall 20 or at the lower part 3 may be inclined or parallel to the lower wall 10 or the dividing wall 18. An aquatic space 2 of the type described above may be provided on both sides of the dividing wall 18, with respective lower openings 3 and dividing walls 20.

The height of the dividing wall 18 may correspond to the height of one more side walls 12, it may be lower than them. In one example, the vertical height of the dividing wall 18 is no more than one-half, no more than two-fifths, or no more than one-third of the height of the side wall 12.

The aforementioned dividing wall 20, together with the lower wall 10, may constitute said double structure and partially double bottom, and/or said dividing wall 20 together with the dividing wall 18 may constitute said double structure and partially double bottom. In combination, the dividing wall 20 and the separating wall 18 constitute a double wall that forms the water space 2.

For example, the double wall is adapted to constitute the tunnel-shaped aquatic space 2 for the flow of water next to the substrate. For example, the double wall is used to transport water, and comprises a connection formed by the lower gap 3 to transport water between the water space 2 and the other parts of the trough. For example, the double wall is provided on both sides or only on one side of the dividing wall 18. The examples described above do not limit the solution presented. The invention in question is presented in the attached claims.

Claims (15)

r e iv in d i c a t i o n s 1. A trough open at the top for growing plants, comprising at least one water space (2) formed by a double edge (1) and which is closed or almost closed at the top, characterized in that the water space (2) is open at the bottom of the gutter. 2. A trough open at the top for growing plants, comprising two side walls (12), a bottom wall (10) and a separate water space (2) which is formed by a partially double bottom and connected to the bottom of the channel through a lower separation (3), characterized in that the partially double bottom part is formed by having an intermediate bottom part (16) as an extension of the side wall (12) and extends towards the other side wall (12) so that one end of the intermediate bottom part (12) 16) is separated from the other side wall (12), partially covers the lower wall (1o) and is separated from the lower wall (10) so that a lower separation (3) is formed between the end of the intermediate lower part (16) and the lower wall (10), - where the water space (2) is formed between the intermediate lower part (16) and the lower wall (10), - where the lower wall (10) acts as the lower part for the water space (2) and as the bottom of the channel in the lower separation (3). 3. A trough open at the top for growing plants, comprising a trough-shaped space delimited by two side walls (12) and a bottom wall (10) and divided into adjacent trough-shaped compartments by at least one wall dividing line (18), - wherein the dividing wall (18) is connected to the lower wall and transverse to the lower wall and fixed at the lower end of the dividing wall to the lower wall (10), wherein the dividing wall (18) comprises at least a water space (2) formed by a double wall and is open at the bottom of the gutter, characterized by the water space (2) that is open at the bottom of the trough and formed by the double wall in such a way that the trough open at the top further comprises a dividing wall (20), - wherein the dividing wall (20) is connected to and is an extension of the dividing wall (18) and extends towards the lower wall (10), and the end of the dividing wall is separated from the side wall (l2), partially covers the lower wall (lO) and is separated from the lower wall (10) so that a lower gap (3) is formed between the end of the dividing wall (20) and the lower wall (1O), - where the lower wall (1O) acts as the lower part for the water space (2) and as the lower part in the lower separation (3). 4. The open-top trough according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the water space (2) is open O.1 to 2 mm from the bottom of the open-top trough. 5. The open-top trough according to claim 1, wherein the open-top trough further comprises a plant substrate (5) that fills the open-top trough and the double edge (1) is for transporting water, and an inner edge of the double edge is open towards the bottom of the open-top trough and forms a lower gap (3) for transporting water between the water space (2) and the substrate. 6. The open-top trough according to claim 1, wherein the open-top trough further comprises a plant substrate (5) that fills the open-top trough and the double edge (1) is configured to constitute a tunnel-shaped water passage that extends parallel with the substrate, from the bottom to the top, for the free flow of water. 7. The channel open at the top according to claim 2, 3<o>5, wherein the width of the lower gap (3) is 2 to 5 mm. 8. The open-top gutter according to claim 1, wherein the open-top gutter further comprises a plant substrate (5) that fills the open-top gutter and the water space. (2) is arranged to allow water to flow into the water space (2) to water the substrate (5) through the bottom gap (3) along the entire length of the open trough at the top . 9. The open-top trough according to claim 2, wherein the double bottom part is for transporting water and the double bottom part comprises a connection formed by the lower separation (3) for transporting water between the water space (2 ) and other parts of the gutter. 10. The open-top gutter according to claim 2, wherein the open-top gutter further comprises a plant substrate that fills the open-top gutter, and the double bottom portion is configured to constitute the space of water (2) that is shaped like a tunnel and is parallel to the substrate, for the flow of water. 11. The open-top trough according to claim 2<o>3, wherein the open-top trough further comprises a plant substrate that fills the open-top trough and the water space (2). It is configured in such a way that the water is in contact with the lower separation (3) and also with the substrate along the entire length of the channel open at the top. 12. The open-top trough according to claim 3, wherein the open-top trough further comprises a plant substrate that fills the open-top trough, and the double wall is configured to constitute the storage space. water (2) that is shaped like a tunnel and extends parallel to the substrate, for the flow of water. 13. The open-top channel according to claim 3, wherein the double wall is for conveying water and the double wall comprises a connection formed by the lower separation (3) for transporting water between the water space (2) and other parts of the gutter. 14. U<so>of an open-top trough in plant cultivation, the open-top trough is according to any of claims 1 to 3. 15. A method in growing plants, comprising growing plants in the open-top trough according to any of claims 1 to 3.